After finishing second in the United Rugby Championship season in 2022-2023 only to be knocked out in the quarterfinals, Ulster Rugby hopes to make a run at the Grand Final in 2024. 

Ulster went 13-0-5 and finished second to Leinster, which went 16-1-1, in the standings. But the successful regular season didn’t carry over to the knockout stage when rival Connacht, which finished 10-0-8 in the regular season, stunned Ulster on their home grounds, 15-10.

• Subscribe To FloRugby For To Watch All The URC Action In 2023-2024
• Heavyweight Clashes To Savor For Next Season Following EPCR Pool Draws
• Champions Cup Rugby Enters New Era As Investec Is Unveiled As Title Sponsor

This year, as Ulster will also compete for the Investec Champions Cup starting in December, the club will begin the season in Italy against Zebre Parma.

Helping matters is the Ulstermen added the best player in the league. According to the URC, Steven Kitshoff is the best player and the prop is headed to Northern Ireland this season. Kitshoff is part of a big offseason recruiting class. 

But Ulster fans won't see Kitshoff in Week 1. He'll be playing in the Rugby World Cup Semifinal. 

Here’s what to know about Ulster Rugby in 2023-2024.  

Ulster Rugby URC Schedule 2023-2024

Here’s a look at the schedule for Ulster Rugby: 

• Week 1, Oct. 21: Ulster at Zebre Rugby, 8 a.m. ET
• Week 2, Oct. 29: Ulster vs. Vodacom Bulls, 1 p.m. ET 
• Week 3, Nov. 4: Ulster at Connacht, 3:35 p.m. ET
• Week 4, Nov. 10:  Ulster vs. Munster, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 5, Nov. 17: Ulster vs. Emirates Lions, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 6, Nov. 25: Ulster at Glasgow Warriors, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 7, Dec. 2:  Ulster vs. Edinburgh, 12:15 p.m. ET
• Week 8, Dec. 22: Ulster vs. Connacht, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 9, Jan. 1: Ulster at Leinster, 12:15 p.m. ET
• Week 10, Feb. 18: Ulster at Ospreys, 10 a.m. ET
• Week 11, March 2: Ulster vs. RFC Dragons, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 12, March 23: Ulster at Hollywoodbets Sharks, 9 a.m. ET
• Week 13, March 30: Ulster at DHL Stormers, 1:15 p.m. ET
• Week 14, April 19: Ulster vs. Cardiff Rugby, 1:35 p.m. ET
• Week 15: April 26: Ulster vs Benetton, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 16, May 11: Ulster at Scarlets, 10:05 a.m. ET
• Week 17, May 18: Leinster at Ulster, 2:35 p.m. ET
• Week 18, June 1: Ulster at Munster, 12:15 p.m. ET

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Quarterfinals?

The URC quarterfinals are June 7-8. Currently there are three games scheduled for June 8 and one on June 7. 

Times are to be announced. 

When Are the 2024 United Rugby Championship Semifinals?

The URC Semifinals are June 15.

Times are to be announced. 

When is the United Rugby Championship Grand Final?

The URC Final is scheduled for June 22. 

Ulster Rugby Odds of Winning the Grand Final

Ulster enters the season as one of the favorites with the fifth best odds at 12-1, according to a majority of European betting sites. 

Who Is The Best Player For Ulster Rugby? It’s Tom Stewart and Steven Kitshoff

The URC list the top 100 players entering the 2023-2024 season. Kitshoff is the No.1 player on the list and Stewart was the No. 12-ranked player in the URC. They were joined by: 

• No. 31 Duane Vermeulen, back row
• No. 72 Sam Carter, second row
• No. 90 Iain Henderson, second row

New Players On The Ulster Rugby Roster

New signings: Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Carson (Academy), Reuben Crothers (Academy), James McCormick (Academy), Conor McKee (Academy), Harry Sheridan (Academy), James French (unattached), Ben Griffin (Clontarf), Greg McGrath (Jersey Reds).

What Country Is Ulster Rugby From?

Ulster Rugby is named after the town it represents in Northern Ireland and was founded in 1879. The nickname for the club is “The Ulstermen.” 

Ulster is the provincial team of Northern Ireland, including Belfast. There are four Irish Rugby Football Union teams: 

• Ulster (Northern Ireland)  
• Leinster (Eastern Ireland)
• Connacht (Western Ireland)
• Munster (Southern Ireland)

They all compete in the URC. 

Where Is Ulster Rugby Based?

The Ulster Rugby home grounds are in Ulster, Ireland at Kingspan Stadium.  

Who Coaches Ulster Rugby? It’s Dan McFarland 

English Rugby star Dan McFarland coaches Ulster. He was hired in 2018. McFarland played for three teams during his playing days, including Connacht from 2000-2006. He was an assistant for Connacht from 2006-2015. 

Ulster Will Compete For The Investec Champions Cup

Because Ulster finished in the top eight of the URC, they qualified for the Champions Cup, which was formerly known as the Heineken Champions Cup and now the Investec Champions Cup. 

Ulster will face Bath Rugby of Top 14 at 10:15 a.m. in Bath on Dec. 9.

How To Watch Ulster Rugby 

All of the Ulster Rugby matches in URC and Investec Champions Cup play will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. 

Replays, highlights and archival matches are also available on both platforms. 

Join The Rugby Conversation on FloRugby Social

• Follow us on Twitter @florugby.
• Follow us on Instagram @florugby.
• Like us on Facebook.